Blog: Crossroads Style

They’ve been slowly creeping their way into the fashion scene... First on the runway, then on street style “it girls” and celebs, and now I’m officially seeing style bloggers covet the surprising trend of the “dad sneaker.” You know the type: the off-brand, normcore sneaker your average dad can be seen wearing at an amusement park chasing after his kids. We embraced “mom” jeans, and apparently dad sneakers are next!

I’m not entirely on board with this trend, but in case you happen to be, there are some absolutely ways to make these chunky sneakers look chic!  Take a look at five ways to style dad sneakers and make them the “it” sneaker of 2018.

1. Go athleisure.
What better way to wear any new sneaker trend than with your favorite athleisure look!

2. Pair with feminine pieces.
Create contrast by pairing these chunky casual sneakers with decidedly feminine pieces.

3. Embrace the perfect traveling shoe.
Let Chiara Ferragni inspire your style! She’s no stranger to traveling around the world and does it in only the chicest comfort.

4. Color-coordinate.
A little weary of drawing too much attention to your new sneakers? Coordinate the colors of your sneakers to your outfit for a seamless transition.

5. Suit it up.
Aimee Song creates an entirely different look with her suit, swapping out expected heels for Louis Vuitton sneakers.

While I love getting dressed for chilly fall weather, the frigid days of winter can become monotonous. There are only so many combinations of sweaters, skinny jeans, and jackets to rotate through before I get bored and uninspired. But dressing for cold temperatures doesn’t have to be boring. Be prepared this winter with a plan for style all season long.

Don’t let your style fall to the wayside when it gets cold. Create a winter capsule wardrobe to stay inspired! Take a look at five of my favorite trendy winter pieces that are a must-have for your capsule wardrobe this season!

White Boots
A trend that’s been going strong all year, white boots look like they’ll be sticking around a little longer! Winter-white boots add instant chicness to an outfit and can be dressed up or down.

Baker Boy Cap
Keep your hair in place and up your cool factor with a trendy baker boy cap this season.

Turtleneck
A turtleneck is a must-have for your cold weather wardrobe. Try a thin basic to layer with or a chunky sweater for those extra-cold days.

Maxi Dress
A long-sleeved maxi dress can be layered and dressed up or down. It’s the perfect fill-in when you’re stuck in a skinny jeans rut!

Statement Coat
A fun statement coat can be thrown over any ordinary outfit to give it that extraordinary look.

Along with scrunchies, kitten heels, and fanny packs, add stirrup pants to the growing list of comeback trends that we never thought we would see again. Originally designed for horseback riders and skiers, stirrups pants eventually became popular in casual fashion in the 1960s. As an ’80s baby, I experienced stirrup pants in their height of popularity. With the “leggings as pants” trend returning this year, it’s no surprise that we are going the extra mile and bringing back stirrup pants. I’m not quite sure I love them, but I can tell you that I definitely don’t hate them! They’re able to add just a bit of interest to an outfit without looking like you’re trying too hard.

Take a look at some modern ways to wear stirrup pants this season!

Make them edgy.
Fishnet details and frayed denim give these striped stirrup pants an updated, modern edge.

Update your menswear.
Update your favorite menswear look by trying stirrup trousers!

Keep it classic.
Not too sure you’re ready for stirrup pants? Downplay them by pairing them with classic pieces. An oversized sweater and simple heels are perfect for fall.

Go athleisure.
Keep it old school and go athleisure with your stirrups. Throw on sneakers or a pair of heels to complete your look.

Try it in denim.
Stirrup straps add a little something extra to your otherwise regular denim outfits.

Fake it.
A little weary about stirrups and don’t want to invest in a fade? Add stirrup clips to any of your pants to get the look.

Fashion is an outlet of expression, personal to everyone who puts thought and effort into the way they present themselves.

Yes, we love to follow trends, and we unfollow them after they have been deemed “over.” That is, of course, until they come back reinvented for the next era. And with those trends come fashion faux pas—style “mistakes” like wearing a wrinkly blouse or unfitted clothes. They can happen to anyone, and we’ve certainly looked back on some old trends as cringe-worthy. But more and more, it seems like we are saying goodbye to fashion that imposes rules on us about what we should wear.

Below, I’ve rounded up five fashion faux pas that have transcended fashion “rules” and become trendy!

1. Birkenstocks

In the last few years, Birkenstocks somehow made the leap from unfashionable comfort shoe to “it girl” street style. These unassuming sandals can dress down many styles. Pair them with your favorite dress, denim, or trousers for a day out.

2. Fanny packs

No longer just for your dad on vacation, fanny packs are in style and have gone through a modern makeover. A fanny pack or purse belt is a fashionable alternative to a handbag when you’re on the go.

3.Mom jeans

Never mind the nickname—these aren’t your mom’s mom jeans! Natural waist, light-wash denim is back in style and giving our skinny jeans a breather. Bonus points if you can actually find a pair of vintage Levi’s 501s!

4. White after Labor Day 

No need to put away your white clothing at the end of the summer! White is one of the hottest colors for the colder months.

5. Thrifted & Non-Label Clothing

When I was growing up, it was not trendy to wear secondhand or non-label clothing. Luckily for our wallets and our creativity, today it’s widespread, and we have plenty of secondhand options to shop and feed our individual style. I love seeing what other thrifters—like Beth in her thrift challenge video below—can find!

‘90s fashion was all that and a bag of chips. That’s probably why we’re seeing so much of the ’90s steal the fashion scene even in 2017. Here are some of our favorite modern takes on ’90s fashion trends:

Your old favorites are back: from Tommy Hilfiger to Calvin Klein to Adidas, we’re embracing the return of branded graphic tees. Wear them with neutral colors and a denim jacket for an easy weekend outfit.

The ’90s introduced us to its iconic athleisure style. Let’s be real—we were all trying to be the next Sporty Spice. Achieve this updated version of the look by styling a pair of track pants with a simple black or white blouse.

One throwback ‘90s style that we’ll never get tired of is overalls. They’re surprisingly versatile; wear them with a crop top or a blouse underneath to switch up your look. Opt for wearing just one strap to channel your inner Fresh Prince.

Anyone else pumped about the comeback of mom jeans? The only thing that could make this outfit even better is a snap bracelet! Yes, we went there.

A slip dress is an elegant and posh ‘90s piece that used to be saved just for special occasions. But you can easily tone it down for the day by throwing a white or black shirt underneath.

We have to give Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake credit for making denim-on-denim a thing. Elevate this ‘90s style by tying a flannel around your waist.